Page 112 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

Strive for Self-Mastery 89

Enneagram Style Sevens

Sevens crave the stimulation of new ideas, people,
and experiences; avoid pain; and create elaborate
future plans that will allow them to keep all of their
options open.

CHART 3.8 Sevens: Levels of Self-Mastery

Descriptions
Extreme self-mastery The Focused Inspirer
Core understanding: Genuine happiness and a feeling of
wholeness come from integrating negative and positive
experiences.
Enneagram Sevens who have chosen to do the difficult work
of self-development have learned how to tame their highly
active minds, which is not an easy task. In learning to do this,
Sevens increase their capacity to focus—on people, tasks,
feelings, and learning something in depth—rather than
disperse their energy. They complete their work effortlessly,
listen well, and emanate happiness and peaceful joy. Spirited
and deep, these Sevens have a true sense of wonder and
inspire those around them, not by energizing them, but by
their calm, yet vital presence.
Example: It took Brenda a long time to deal with the loss of
both of her parents when she was still quite young. However,
in dealing with this issue when she was in her thirties, through
a great deal of self-reflection and outside help, Brenda had
developed a capacity for compassion and had learned to stop
avoiding painful issues. Because of this, she was able to focus
and to be available to others for extended conversations about
important issues. At the same time, she retained her ability to
think outside the box, and her ability to do this had actually
increased, as had her ability to inspire others to take action.
Moderate self-mastery The Stimulator
Core concern: Satisfaction, stimulation, and feeling good.
At the mid-level of self-mastery, Sevens can be creative and
engaging, but also frenzied and impatient. Their minds work
so fast that they often have a great many half-thought-
through notions, most of which they express. They also tend
to overestimate their competence or knowledge, considering
themselves quick studies. Addicted to the adrenaline rush of
experiences that are new and stimulating, they sometimes
(Continued)